Hepatitis D is a severe liver disease caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV), a defective virus requiring the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for replication and transmission. Our company is at the forefront of developing solutions for Hepatitis D, offering a comprehensive suite of services that span from preclinical research to therapeutic development.
Overview of Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D, also known as delta hepatitis, is caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). HDV is a unique agent as it is a satellite virus, depending on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its outer envelope and to complete its replication cycle. This dependency means that HDV infection can only occur in individuals already infected with HBV. The combination of HDV and HBV leads to a more severe form of hepatitis, with a faster progression to cirrhosis and an increased risk of liver cancer.
Fig.1 Structure of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) virions. (Mentha N., et al., 2019)
Vaccine Development for Hepatitis D
- HBV Vaccines as a Preventative Measure
Given the dependency of HDV on HBV, the most effective way to prevent HDV infection is through vaccination against HBV. Current HBV vaccines are highly effective in preventing both HBV and HDV. These vaccines include:
Recombinant HBV Vaccines
These are made from a small part of the HBV surface protein and are safe and effective in providing long-term protection.
Hepatitis B Birth Dose (HepB-BD)
Administering the first dose of HBV vaccine to newborns within 24 hours of birth is crucial in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV and HDV.
- Experimental HDV-Specific Vaccines
While no HDV-specific vaccine exists, research is ongoing to develop a vaccine that could protect those already infected with HBV from HDV superinfection. This includes:
Bivalent or Multivalent Vaccines
These vaccines are under investigation, targeting both HBV and HDV antigens to elicit an immune response against both viruses.
DNA Vaccines
These vaccines involve the introduction of plasmids containing genes encoding HDV antigens, aiming to stimulate the immune system to produce a response against HDV.
Therapeutics Development for Hepatitis D
- Interferon-Based Therapies
Pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-α) has been the mainstay of therapeutics for chronic hepatitis D, shown to reduce viral replication and liver inflammation. However, its efficacy is limited, with only approximately 30% of patients achieving a sustained virological response.
- Nucleos(t)ide Analogues
Although these drugs are effective against HBV, they have shown little impact on HDV replication. They are sometimes used in patients with both HBV and HDV infections to manage the HBV component.
- Novel Therapies
New therapeutic approaches are being investigated, including:
These drugs, such as Myrcludex B, prevent HDV from entering hepatocytes by blocking the interaction between HDV and its receptor, NTCP.
Lonafarnib, an oral prenylation inhibitor, interferes with the assembly of HDV particles, showing promise in clinical trials.
REP 2139 is a nucleic acid polymer (NAP) that has demonstrated the ability to reduce HBsAg and HDV RNA levels, offering a new approach to therapy.
Our Services
The development of effective HDV vaccines and therapeutics requires an integrated approach, including pathogen and host studies, drug discovery, and preclinical studies. Our company's services are critical to advancing the development of vaccines and therapeutics for hepatitis D:
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- S-HDAg Transgenic Mice
- L-HDAg Transgenic Mice
- Humanized Liver Mice
- Chimpanzee Natural Infection Model with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Hepatitis D remains a significant global health challenge, but advancements in vaccine and therapeutic development offer hope for better disease management and prevention. Our company is dedicated to advancing these efforts, providing a range of services to support the development of effective solutions against Hepatitis D. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Mentha, Nathalie, et al. "A review on hepatitis D: From virology to new therapies." Journal of advanced research 17 (2019): 3-15.
- Negro, Francesco, and Anna S. Lok. "Hepatitis D: a review." JAMA (2023).
- Koh, Christopher, Theo Heller, and Jeffrey S. Glenn. "Pathogenesis of and new therapies for hepatitis D." Gastroenterology 156.2 (2019): 461-476.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
